2013 Dodge Dart GT

One letter short, Dodge attempts to take on the GTI.

It’s your choice, of course, but somewhere between $18,000 and $25,000 you’re at the base price of a small front-drive car that will make you want to get up in the morning and go—and perhaps even grin. The source of that grin could be a Honda Fit Sport, a Fiat 500 Abarth, a Ford Focus ST, or the iconic Volkswagen GTI. If Dodge has its way, it could be the Dart GT.

New for 2013, the GT joins the Dart SE, SXT, Rallye, Aero, and Limited models, sitting atop the price structure at $21,790. And for that money, what does GT get you?

To start, there’s the 2.4-liter version of the Tigershark MultiAir four-cylinder producing 184 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. This mill is matched to a six-speed manual, with the (Hyundai-sourced) PowerTech 6F24 six-speed automatic available as an option. Twin exhaust outlets reside out back. Almost as a teaser, Dodge mentions that it “continues to investigate a high-performance R/T model.” There’s speculation that such a car could be powered by the turbocharged Tigershark 2.4. As far as a real ST/GTI fighter we’re still waiting.

But back to the GT. Dodge seems to have put a bit more Alfa Romeo back in the Dart’s Giulietta-inspired suspension with its front struts and independent rear layout, adding frequency-sensing shocks. The GT rides on 18-inch aluminum wheels, which aren’t available to the rest of the Dart lineup.

As is the case with seemingly all of Chrysler Group’s sportier packages and trim levels, the Dart GT is set off with dark accents: Hyper Black dims the grille, while black headlamp bezels and trim are added. Further details include body-color door handles, LED taillights and, of course, GT badging.

The GT’s insides get unique Nappa leather seats done in two variations of black and—red alert, Wizard of Oz fans—Ruby Red. Both the front seats and the steering wheel are heated and red detailing features across the dash and on the door handles. Chrysler’s ubiquitous 8.4-inch touch screen resides in the center of that red-trimmed dash, and the centerpiece of the car’s gauge cluster is a seven-inch TFT display. The options sheet for the GT is limited to a sunroof, HID headlamps, navigation, pushbutton start, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and a 506-watt, 10-speaker Alpine audio system.

The 2013 Dodge Dart GT makes its in-the-metal debut at the 2013 Detroit auto show before going on sale this spring.

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